A
new report by the European
Consumer Centre Network (ECC-Net) takes a look at the scams faced by
consumers when shopping online.
The
report focuses on fraud in cross-border e-commerce and what consumers can do to
protect themselves from online fraud. It has been prepared based on the
complaints reported by consumers to ECC-Net in 2012.
The
EU Commissioner for Consumer
Policy, Neven Mimica said: "On-line shopping is booming as consumers take
advantage of the digital single market. But the risk of fraud is rising too.
The ECC report is a timely reminder to consumers that they need to 'shop smart'
and avoid the fraudsters' traps“.
It
has been estimated that savings from online shopping amount to €11.7 billion
equivalent to 0.12% of the EU’s GDP
However many consumers are missing out. Studies show that 62% of consumers cite
fear of fraud as the reason why they do not go online to shop.
According
to the results of the Euro barometer on Cyber Security, the
highest figures of internet users that say they have experienced online fraud
are in Poland (18%), Hungary (17%), Malta (16%) and UK (16%), while respondents
in Greece (3%), Slovenia (6%) and Spain (7%) are least likely to have
experienced online fraud.
The
report highlights a number of tips and tricks to avoid being scammed online.
For example always use a secure payment method and never transfer cash. The
tips also include advice on how to screen unfamiliar online traders and what to
do if you happen to fall victim to a fraudulent site.
The
most common kind of fraud highlighted by the participating ECCs (70%) were
scams involving fraudulent sites which require a bank transfer purchase and
never deliver the products offered. The second highest type of online fraud,
mentioned by 45% of participating centres, involves second hand cars sold
online, followed by sale of counterfeit goods and fraudulent ticket sales. The
report also analyses emerging issues in online fraud with malicious software
targeting mobile phones, and scams involving gaming and online dating sites.
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